Baby Hunger Cues to Watch Out For

As a new parent, learning to understand your baby's communication can feel overwhelming. But here's something that might surprise you: your baby doesn't have to cry to tell you they're hungry. In fact, crying is actually the last hunger cue your little one will show.

Understanding Early Feeding Cues

Tuning into your baby's hunger signals will make feeding time more successful and satisfying for both of you. The key is catching these cues early in the cycle, before your baby becomes distressed and starts crying.

What to Look For

Your baby will show several signs when they're ready to breastfeed. Watch for these hunger cues:

Awakening - Your baby begins to stir and wake up from sleep, often the first sign they're getting ready to eat.

Soft sounds - Gentle murmurs and quiet vocalizations signal increasing hunger.

Mouthing - You may notice your baby licking their lips or sticking their tongue out, preparing for feeding.

Rooting towards the breast - Your baby will turn their head and open their mouth, searching for the breast.

Hand to mouth activity - Watch for your baby bringing their hands to their mouth or sucking on their fingers.

Crying - This starts softly and gradually grows in intensity. Remember, if your baby has reached this stage, they've been showing earlier cues that may have been missed.

Why Early Recognition Matters

When you respond to your baby's early hunger cues, feeding becomes a calmer, more positive experience. Your baby is alert and ready to latch, rather than upset and worked up from crying. This makes the entire feeding process smoother for everyone involved.

If you're incorporating bottle feeding into your routine, the BuubiBottle is designed to support seamless transition between breast and bottle.